Successful mission to the Middle East sees new MOUs with leading institutions
Share
York University President and Vice Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri (right) signs a memorandum of understanding with Tel Aviv University President Joseph Klafter, while Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne looks on.
York University President and Vice Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri (right) signs a memorandum of understanding with Tel Aviv University President Joseph Klafter, while Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne looks on
York University President and Vice Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri and Robert Haché, York vice-president research and innovation, have completed a successful mission to the Middle East.
The mission took place from May 15 to 20 and was led by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. More than 120 representatives from postsecondary institutions, public and private sector organizations accompanied the premier on the mission, which was organized to promote the exchange of information and knowledge, seek opportunities for collaboration and sign new business agreements.
During the mission, York’s president signed a number of important memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with leading postsecondary institutions in Israel and the West Bank.
On May 16, the president signed a renewed MOU with Tel Aviv University. The five-year agreement will provide students with educational opportunities, promote interest in the teaching and research activities of each institution, and engage in faculty and student exchanges. The agreement will see the two institutions collaborate on seminars, research projects and conferences.
President Shoukri signs an agreement with Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish. Looking on are Prof. Peter Mascher, associate vice-president international affairs at McMaster University and the delegation from the Province of Ontario.
On May 19, Shoukri took part in a Daughters for Life Scholarship Awards Ceremony and signed an agreement with Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish (LLD [Hon.] ’15), the founder and president of the charity and a professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. The agreement was also signed by McMaster University, and will provide 10 young women currently living in Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria, as well as most other countries located in the Middle East region, with the opportunity to study in Ontario. One scholarship per year at each institution will be awarded for five years. The scholarships reflect the mandate of the Daughters for Life Foundation that lasting peace in the Middle East depends on empowering girls and young women through education.
York University entered into an MOU with Bethlehem University on May 20. Pictured signing the MOU are Bethlehem University Vice-Chancellor Brother Peter Bray, FSC (left) and York President Mamdouh Shoukri.
York University entered into an MOU with Bethlehem University on May 20. The MOU outlines the cooperation between the two institutions in the areas of education, research and community service, including developing training and internship programs, exchanging faculty members and working together on research projects.
“Working with world-class institutions such as Bethlehem University allows York University to continue to expand our outlook and deepen our global impact,” said Shoukri during the signing ceremony. “Thanks to this agreement, we will be able to provide students in the humanities, business, social sciences, science and health with valuable experiential learning opportunities at an excellent university.”
York’s president shakes hands with Peretz Lavie, president of Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions. Looking on, from left are MPPs Monte Kwinter and Dr. Eric Hoskins, Premier Kathleen Wynne and MPP Reza Moridi.
The MOU with the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology is a five-year agreement to collaborate on student and faculty exchanges, study abroad opportunities, joint research projects and initiatives and the staging of joint seminars, conferences and academic meetings.
“Thanks to this partnership, students and researchers from York University and Technion will be able to engage in mutually beneficial international research partnerships, student learning experiences, faculty exchanges and international recruitment,” said Shoukri.
As part of the mission, Shoukri and Haché met with researchers in life sciences and technology and representatives at universities in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa in Israel, and Ramallah and Bethlehem in the West Bank.
Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and York U students gather for a cameo with the president and vice-president research and innovation
The mission was organized by the Province of Ontario to build on existing relationships, create new partnerships and attract investment to the province. Several leaders from Ontario institutions accompanied the Premier to the West Bank, where they sought opportunities to collaborate with Palestinian partners on innovation and education initiatives.
Mission delegates were joined by Dr. Eric Hoskins, minister of health and long-term care, Reza Moridi, minister of research and innovation, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade Monte Kwinter.
What would a trip be without a “selfie” with students, provincial ministers and the premier?
York University has numerous existing agreements with postsecondary institutions in the Middle East, including Al-Quds University, Bar-Ilan University, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University. In addition, the University is home to the Israel and Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies, Canada’s first interdisciplinary research centre in Jewish Studies. The York University Visiting Professorship in Israel Studies was inaugurated in 2008 through the Israel and Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies.
York University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies, a York-Hebrew U Graduate Diploma in Jewish Studies for Educators, a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Hebrew and Jewish Studies, a Graduate Diploma in Jewish Studies, and an advanced undergraduate certificate in Advanced Hebrew and Jewish Studies.
President’s Staff Recognition awards celebrate the University’s outstanding employees
Share
It is one of the highlights of the academic year and a time when the University community pauses to recognize, thank and celebrate outstanding employees for their work.
Some 150 guests paid tribute to the recipients of the staff recognition awards
On May 5, at The Underground Restaurant, five individuals and one team were lauded for their exceptional service to York University during the President’s Staff Recognition Awards dinner. In total, 28 individuals and five teams were nominated by their colleagues for the prestigious awards. More than 150 guests including recipients, their families and friends and nominees attended the event, which was hosted by York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri, who also presented the awards (with the exception of the Ronald Kent Award, which was presented by President Emeritus H. Ian Macdonald).
Lynda Tam, assistant dean of students in the School of Arts, Media, Performance and Design, receives the Deborah Hobson York Citizenship Award from York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri
With a huge smile, Shoukri addressed guests. “As you know, this is one of my favourite events of the year. It is an opportunity to thank our colleagues who make this place work. It is really wonderful to see so many of you here today,” he said. “This event is very important to the University.
“The people who we are recognizing tonight are those individuals who put extra effort to ensure that York University continues to be run smoothly and efficiently,” said Shoukri. “They display a tremendous amount of leadership and commitment to York University. There is nothing more valued than receiving recognition by one’s own peers. Thank you for everything that you do!”
The recipients of the President’s Staff Recognition Awards are listed below (in order of award presented). Click on the award names to view video testimonials for each recipient. The videos were created by Learning Technology Services in collaboration with the Office of the President.
For a full list of nominees, see the announcement in the March 16YFile.
The Harriet Lewis Team Award for Service Excellence – Advancement Research and Records team: Jeff Briand, associate director research and records, Advancement; Steve Wardle, senior advancement research analyst, Advancement; Philipa Vaz, advancement research analyst, Advancement; Betty Kung, research and records analyst, Advancement; Jordan Kelyana, prospect analyst, Advancement; and, Christabelle Ambrosio, prospect analyst, Advancement.
The Advancement Research and Records team following the presentation of the Harriet Lewis Team Award for service excellence. From left, Jordan Kelyana, Steve Wardle, Betty Kung, Jeff Briand, Christabelle Ambrosio and Philipa Vaz.
President Shoukri presents the President’s Voice of York Award to Cristalina Del Biondo
The Ronald Kent Medal – Howard Hunter, laboratory technologist, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science.
During the dinner, the guests were treated to videos that described each recipient and offered messages of support and thanks from nominators and colleagues. Following each video, the president presented the awards and the recipients then offered a few words to the gathering.
“I just want to thank the president and the various people who create these awards for staff. I think it is really important, especially at a University of this size, to have the great contributions of staff recognized,” said Tam, who paid tribute to her fellow nominees and past recipients of the Deborah Hobson York Citizenship Award. “This is a great, great way to recognize excellence at York University.”
Speaking on behalf of the Advancement Research and Records team, Briand thanked the nominators and the president and took time to congratulate the other nominees for the award. “Our team works very hard and we are focused on service,” said Briand. “This has been a wonderful experience for us to receive this award, particularly for the department.”
Briand took time to speak about each of the team members. “Collectively, we do our work to make York a better place. It is amazing to find an alum who has done something really interesting, operated a great business, won an award, or as our recently launched campaign says, has had an impact. Finding that person and getting them engaged with the University is an awesome feeling,” he said.
Henry Leung accepts his award from President Shoukri
A soft-spoken Leung shyly thanked his nominators and spoke about his pride in receiving the award. He said the award was not only for him but also for all of his colleagues in Campus Services and Business Operations.
Another of the recipients, Del Biondo said she was overwhelmed with the news that she had received the award. “All the paper and words in this universe would not be enough to truly express my gratitude. I am honoured to be here tonight,” said Del Biondo, who took time to thank her co workers who nominated her.
Hartley also thanked her team for nominating her. “I feel so lucky because the group of amazing individuals who were nominated for this award… well, I have no idea how the selection committee came up with their decision. I hope that all of my fellow nominees feel as lucky and a winner as I do,” she said. “What was so special about winning this award was the email that I received from the broader York community. It made me realize that the clinic has become part of the fabric of the University and I am very proud of that.”
Louise Hartley, recipient of the President’s Leadership Award, with President Shoukri
She spoke about the University’s mental health strategy and lauded York for its leadership stance in Canada on mental health and wellness. She took time to thank her colleagues, the mental health strategy team and the Faculty of Health for their support of the clinic.
To round out the evening, President Emeritus Macdonald presented the Ronald Kent Medal to Hunter.
“When I start out every day, there are two things on my mind,” said Hunter. “One of them is to try to do a good job and the second is don’t make a spectacle of yourself. As I stand here in front of you, I think I am going to have to reevaluate the second thought.”
Howard Hunter receives the Ronald Kent Medal from President Emeritus Ian Macdonald
The evening concluded with congratulations from Shoukri and a toast by York Vice-President of Finance and Administration.
Shoukri thanked TD Meloche Monex, one of the University’s affinity partners, for their long-standing support of the awards reception.
Message to the community: Call for proposals for funding for ‘Canada 150’ initiatives
Share
Vari Hall in the sunshine
President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri and Vice-President Academic & Provost Rhonda Lenton have issued the following message to the York University community:
Dear Colleagues,
In 2017, Canada will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of Confederation, also known as the Sesquicentennial. Canadian universities have been invited to hold events that will contribute to this celebration. National planning is being coordinated by Universities Canada, and we have had discussions also with colleagues at Toronto universities about planning. We will be establishing a steering committee at York to coordinate events and initiatives here, including a York “signature” event or events.
In order to engage members of our community in the celebrations of this important milestone, the University has established a fund to support initiatives related to Canada 150 which explore in some way Canada’s past, but also look to the future to explore a vision for Canada for the next 150 years.
Within this general framework, four themes have been identified by the Government of Canada: the environment, diversity and inclusion, Indigenous people, and youth. Clearly, these themes align very well with York’s strengths and interests.
All members of the York community (faculty, staff and students; units and Faculties) are invited to submit applications for funding for Canada 150 projects within this framework.
General guidelines:
Projects may include a range of events and initiatives (conferences, workshops, guest speakers, public lectures, art installations, other cultural events, etc.), including “virtual” events (videos, podcasts, etc.).
Projects should advance York’s strengths and priorities and contribute to building York’s profile and reputation in the broader community.
They may be entirely new initiatives designed specifically for Canada 150, or annual events presented with a particular Canada 150 lens or augmented to reflect Canada 150 themes.
They must take place within the 2017 calendar year.
Wherever possible and relevant, events should be open to the York community and the public.
Priority will be given to projects involving collaboration and partnerships, including cross-Faculty interdisciplinary collaborations, projects involving other universities, and projects with external partners.
It is anticipated that funding requests ranging up to approximately $30,000 will be considered, depending on the nature and scope of the project (i.e. $100 to 5,000 for a guest speaker or podcast, $5,000 to 10,000 for a panel discussion or workshop, $10,000 to 30,000 for a conference or symposium; larger requests will be considered on an exceptional basis).
Priority will also be given to projects for which some funding is already in place from other sources (i.e. from a Faculty or external body), or is being sought.
Applications (approx. 5 pages) must include:
A full description of the project, clearly indicating how it contributes to the Canada 150 celebration and themes.
A précis of the project (max. of 100 words) that could be used for promotion of the event.
A description of how the initiative will advance York’s profile and reputation.
Project leads (must be affiliated with York as current faculty, staff or students), including their affiliation with York and contact information.
A list of participating partners (whether they are other York units, community partners, or other institutions).
A full budget for the project.
Timelines for the project, including planning schedule and date(s) of event.
An indication of other sources from which funding has already been received (with amounts) and/or from which funding will be sought (internal or external to York).
Application deadlines:
Applications submitted by October 1, 2016 will be considered in a first round. Should funds be remaining following this initial round, a second round will be available with a December 1, 2016 deadline.
Projects will be reviewed by a committee with representation from the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, and the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation.
Message from the President: New dean appointed to the Faculty of Health
Share
Paul McDonald
President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri has issued the following message to the York University community:
Paul McDonald
I am delighted to inform you that the search for the next Dean of the Faculty of Health has reached a successful conclusion.
Following an extensive search, which attracted a number of outstanding candidates from around the globe, I am very pleased to announce that Professor Paul W. McDonald has accepted our invitation to take up a five-year term as Dean, commencing July 1, 2016. On May 3, the Board of Governors concurred with my recommendation of the appointment.
Professor McDonald joins York University from Massey University in New Zealand, where he has held the position of Professor and Founding Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of Health since 2013. In his capacity as Pro Vice-Chancellor, he initiated developments to enhance teaching and learning, the student experience and internationalization. As a member of Massey’s senior leadership team, Professor McDonald contributed to the development of the university’s strategic plan, as well as its budget, enrolment, capital plans and the creation of a global entity facilitating international connections.
Prior to his appointment at Massey University, he was a Professor at the University of Waterloo, where he served as Inaugural Director of the School of Public Health and Health Systems and Chair, Department of Health Studies and Gerontology. He also served as the Director of the Population Health Research Group at the University of Waterloo.
Professor McDonald holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Waterloo, an MA in Clinical Psychology from the University of Western Ontario and a PhD in Health Studies with a specialization in Population Health from the University of Waterloo. His research interests are wide-ranging and interdisciplinary, including planning, implementing and evaluating population-level interventions for public health, tobacco control, and primary prevention of chronic disease.
Paul McDonald is the author of more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and 200 proceedings, abstracts, monographs, chapters and technical reports. He has also contributed research to a 20+ country study of tobacco control policies informing the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and to the Romanow Royal Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada. Professor McDonald has taught courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels in his areas of expertise, and has supervised more than 25 graduate students.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Harvey Skinner, the Faculty’s inaugural Dean, who has served with verve, vision and commitment in the role since July 1, 2006, guiding the Faculty in its first decade on an ambitious path to grow York’s strengths in health promotion locally and globally, and helping to establish the University’s leadership in global health with new programming and through the creation of The Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health.
We look forward to working with Professor McDonald as he undertakes this key leadership role within the University, and I would like to express my thanks to the members of the Search Committee for their contributions to this important process.
I hope that all members of the Faculty and the University will join me in congratulating Professor McDonald and wishing him well in his new role.
York University celebrates its sustainability leaders
Share
York University celebrated its leaders in sustainability on Earth Day on Friday, April 22 at the third annual President’s Sustainability Leadership Awards reception. As part of Earth Day events, it was announced that two buildings − the newly renovated Ignat Kaneff Building, which is home to Osgoode Hall Law School, and the York Lions Stadium, site of the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games − received the LEED Silver designation. And, for the fourth year in a row, the University was named among Canada’s top 100 Greenest Employers.
Four individuals and one group were honoured for their work in sustainability and were named the 2016 recipients of the President’s Sustainability Leadership Awards on Earth Day, Friday, April 22. Faculty of Environmental Studies Professor Martin Bunch, who is chair of the President’s Sustainability Council, announced the awards on behalf of York University President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri (who was unable to attend the reception). The Earth Day event took place in the new York Lions Stadium on the Keele campus.
“On behalf of President Shoukri and the President’s Sustainability Council, I am very pleased to be able to announce the winners of the 2016 President’s Sustainability Leadership Awards,” said Bunch. “We are now in the third year of the awards program, and we have seen many inspiring nominations over the past three years highlighting the interesting and innovative work that sustainability champions are doing on our campuses.
“We hope that these awards, and the great accomplishments of the award winners, will encourage others across our campuses to get involved in sustainability, and help us make York one the world’s leading universities on sustainability,” said Bunch.
The 2016 winners of the President’s Sustainability Leadership Awards are:
Nicole Arsenault
Manager, Transportation, Campus Services & Business Operations (CSBO)
Nicole Arsenault (left) with Martin Bunch
Nicole Arsenault is a sustainability leader who advocates for change and leads by example. When Arsenault started in her position, over 10 years ago, the transportation modal split for York was 80/20, in favour of single occupant vehicles. Today, that modal split is reversed and people come to York mainly via sustainable travel, and mostly via transit.
While there are several factors which led to this shift, one surely has been Arsenault’s tireless advocacy for sustainable travel. She has continued to push transit agencies to expand service, both in frequency and routes, and helped to move York University’s Keele campus to be home to one of the largest transit hubs in North America with more than 2,600 bus trips in and out of the Common every day.
Arsenault has worked continuously to expand priority carpooling, free shuttle service, on campus car sharing services and considerable support for the cycling community. It is this type of accomplishment that contributed to York University’s 2012 Smart Commute Regional Employer of the Year award, a distinction for organizations taking action to address traffic congestion and climate change.
Arsenault’s sensitivity to the environment transcends her job description. She is a true steward for York, and can often be seen picking up garbage or gently asking people to turn off the lights.
Jose Etcheverry (left) with Martin Bunch
Jose Etcheverry
Associate Professor in the Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES), and Co-Chair of the Sustainable Energy Initiative
Professor Jose Etcheverry is a sustainability ambassador and a true champion who leads by example. He is the epitome of someone who talks the talk, then walks the walk. As a faculty member in FES and Co-chair of the Sustainable Energy Initiative, for several years he has been teaching students about the importance of clean, renewable energy. But he has also been able to take his experiences from the classroom out onto campus, by working with a number of partners, including students and CSBO, to install a photovoltaic electric vehicle charging station on the Keele campus. The charging station is innovative in that it is modular, easily replicable and made mostly from materials sourced right here in Ontario.
To install this station, Etcheverry was on-campus during sabbatical, in the early hours of the day and late hours of the night to ensure that the installation of the station was complete. He also promoted the project through numerous channels which has gained positive recognition for York University, the Sustainable Energy Initiative and FES.
Finance Department
The Finance Department for some time has been acutely aware of green initiatives, and one of their goals has been to reduce the consumption of paper used in many financial transactions.
The Finance Department staff accept their group award from Martin Bunch
The department has instituted digital journal transfers, the Sm@rtBuy eProcurement system, document imaging, the Concur electronic travel reimbursement and direct deposit for a variety of financial transactions, which has resulted in the saving of hundreds of thousands of pieces of paper on an annual basis. All the above initiatives, while contributing to sustainability, have also significantly added to the productivity both within the Finance Department and across the University community.
Mark Terry (left) with Martin Bunch
Mark Terry
Documentary filmmaker and PhD student in the Department of Humanities, Faculty of Graduate Studies
Mark Terry is a documentary filmmaker and PhD student in the Department of Humanities. His current project, which is also part of his academic research in Humanities, uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to showcase the latest climate research being done by climate scientists, researchers and scholars around the world.
The project was invited by the United Nations to be used as a data delivery system to delegates and negotiators attending the COP21 climate summit in Paris last December, and Terry was named to the official delegation representing Canada at this conference. It marked the first time the United Nations used a GIS documentary mapping project as a data delivery system for its COP conferences.
Terry has recruited students working with climate researchers around the world providing a voice for both the international youth community and the international climate science community at COP21. Collaboration on this project reached nearly 150 participants from every continent (including Antarctica).
The project, innovative in bringing together GIS and interactive documentary filmmaking, can be replicated by anyone interested in using Google mapmaking tools available to the public. To help facilitate the adoption of this tool and methodology for climate and related research, Terry has been giving presentations and seminars at York to faculty and graduate students.
The original project continues to grow as new media is added from collaborative contributors worldwide on a regular basis. As a result, the UN has made Terry’s project a permanent addition to its two websites.
Terry was also part of the first crossing of the Northwest Passage through the Prince of Wales Strait and became the first filmmaker to document a crossing of the passage. For this achievement, he was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Greatest Explorers by Canadian Geographic Magazine in August, 2015.
John Wilson (left) with Martin Bunch
John Wilson
Manager, Mailing Services, CSBO (and York University’s unofficial arborist)
John Wilson’s role is mail room manager, and in carrying out these duties, he often steers community members to reductions in printing and savings on use of paper. But his official duties do not tell the story of the past 32 years that Wilson has spent contributing to improving the “green infrastructure” at York University.
Wilson started in the Grounds Department (CSBO), as he is an arborist by training. He moved from taking care of trees, into creating new environments, working with the Facilities Development, CSBO. There he worked on helping to expedite site works to make way for the construction of new roads and the subway, and in doing so, helped protect, spade, move and replant hundreds of trees on campus.
Wilson has worked with other likeminded tree champions over the past 30 years, examining ways to protect the woodlots, expand and protect the tree canopy and promote the need to create an inventory and manage the trees that are so vital to our environment. He continued to work informally with Grounds, and on several projects, including commenting on various tree and landscape designs for new developments. He also helped create a preferred list of trees that are now issued to all proponents on major capital projects. The list identifies species that work well on campus given specific conditions here. The list focuses on native, drought resistant species, and on the need to create variety for overall resilience and longevity. Wilson was instrumental in the creation of an Ash tree inventory and management program for fighting the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), which has resulted in the survival of the highest quality remaining Ash trees on campus.
He documented efforts to manage EAB and created a web page to share with the community. That work grew into a full inventory of all trees on both campuses. This inventory is a living tool that holds incredible value to Grounds, and to those who are interested in the landscape, and to the overall health and wellbeing of the University community.
The recipients join Martin Bunch and CSBO Assistant Vice-President, Richard Francki (far right) for a group cameo
The President’s Sustainability Leadership Awards were judged by a volunteer committee who reviewed the applications and made the decisions on the awards.
The President’s Sustainability Leadership Awards were judged by a volunteer committee who reviewed the applications and made the decisions on the awards. The committee members are: Sheila Forshaw, Helen Psathas, Pamela Martinez, Michelle Chin-Dawe, and PSC Chair Martin Bunch.
Professor Ian Garrett from the School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design, created the awards out of re-purposed scrap materials, in this case, Masonite, from stage productions produced by the Department of Theatre. Each of the award winners received a Las Nubes book. The books were donated by the York University Bookstores.
York University has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for 2016
Share
For the Six
York University has been named one of the top 100 of Canada’s Greenest Employers for 2016. This is the fourth such honour for the University, which for the past three years has made the list.
“This is a very exclusive list, with only a handful of universities and colleges, and I think this accolade is testament to the great work that has been happening here at York University,” said Faculty of Environmental Studies Professor Martin Bunch, chair of the President’s Sustainability Council, during a special Earth Day event on April 22 at the Keele campus.
This special designation recognizes the employers that lead the nation in creating a culture of environmental awareness in their organizations. To make the list, employers have developed exceptional earth-friendly initiatives – and are attracting people to their organizations because of their environmental leadership.
In addition to the Greenest Employer designation, the University recently received a STARS Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
STARS, or the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, is the most widely respected and most robust assessment of sustainability in postsecondary education.
“It is very encouraging to receive this external recognition, and it reinforces our determination to continue to innovate and advance sustainability here at York,” said Bunch.
Earth Day, said Bunch, presents an opportunity to reflect on the University’s accomplishments in sustainability. There are many impressive achievements from the past year:
Last September, York University joined a growing number of postsecondary institutions by phasing out the sale of bottled water on its campuses. The University now has more than 70 refill stations and some 200 drinking fountains on its campuses that provide fresh, waste-free water to the community.
The Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence opened in September and celebrated its official opening several weeks ago. The building adds much needed space for the University’s expanding engineering program, and was built to LEED Gold standards (and once certified, will be York University’s first LEED Gold building).
Through the University’s Energy Management Program, there has been a 30 per cent reduction in energy use since 2007.
Through York’s ZeroWaste program, the University has reached a 68 per cent waste diversion rate, the highest rate yet, far surpassing the initial target of 50 per cent.
More than 80 per cent of the University community commute by alternative transportation (public transit, carpooling, walking, cycling).
In 2015, the York community saw the installation of the University’s first photovoltaic array, the solar electric vehicle charging station.
More than 25 per cent of purchases through the Food Services Department are either local, sustainable or Fair Trade certified.
From a teaching and learning standpoint, York University continues to build a strong foundation of teaching, research and action on sustainability with nearly 500 courses related to environment and sustainability.
And finally, the York Task Force on Sustainability Research released its final report last year, to help shape and grow York’s leadership in sustainability research.
“These impressive achievements, along with many others, are due to the vision and hard work of many people, including students, faculty and staff across our campuses,” said Bunch. “While I can’t acknowledge them all by name here, I would like to say thanks to Richard Francki, the AVP of Campus Services and Business Operations, and his dedicated team working on energy, waste, transportation, food, and many other sustainability initiatives here at York University.”
From the President: Our impact has only just begun
Share
York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri sends the following message to the University community:
Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to let you know about an important initiative that the University is undertaking. We are at an inflection point in York’s history and as we face an exciting future, York University is launching a comprehensive fundraising and alumni engagement campaign – our most ambitious ever.
At a special event last Thursday, I was joined by our Chancellor, Greg Sorbara, and Rick Waugh, the Chair of our Board of Governors, to publicly launch Impact: The Campaign for York University.As its name suggests, our focus is on impact – the impact that York has already made, and the impact our students and alumni are making here and around the world every day.
The Campaign aims to achieve two important goals:
Raise $500 million in support of York’s strategic priorities and our students;
and double the number of alumni engaged in making a difference in the lives of our students and the communities we serve.
Through the Campaign, we will engage our alumni and friends to raise funds in support of three campaign themes:
Mobilizing New Ways of Thinking
Preparing Engaged Global Citizens
Building Stronger Communities
I am pleased to let you know that we have already raised $270 million toward our $500 million goal, so we are well on our way. Please visit our Campaign website at yorku.ca/impact for more information and some great stories of impact and support for our students.
I would like to thank all of you, our faculty and staff, for your individual contributions to the countless ways that York is changing the world – through our innovative programs, ground-breaking research, and exceptional students and alumni. I look forward to keeping you up-to-date on the Campaign and to sharing the many ways in which you can get involved.
Our impact has only just begun.
Sincerely,
Mamdouh Shoukri York President and Vice Chancellor
This is Impact: The Campaign for York University launches with a colourful, high-energy event
Share
Impact: The Campaign for York University officially launched April 21 with a colourful, high-energy celebration featuring the talent of students and grads, an enormous Newton’s cradle, an exciting new campaign video and more.
The Impact Campaign launch was a high-energy celebration of York University
The most ambitious fundraising campaign in the University’s history, the Impact Campaign has a goal of raising $500 million. It celebrates the University’s impact on the world – past, present and future.
“York is at an inflection point in its history – a time of significant change,” said York University President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “We have established ourselves as a postsecondary leader and we have an unparalleled track record of impact on some of the world’s most pressing issues. Now, as we face unprecedented global challenges such as climate change, chronic disease, war and resettlement, and food and economic security, we must accelerate our impact. This campaign will ensure that York is ideally positioned to do so.”
York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri addresses guests at the campaign launch reception
Joining the president at the launch were the other two members of the campaign’s leadership team, Board of Governors Chair Rick Waugh and the University’s Chancellor Greg Sorbara. More than 120 students, staff, faculty, alumni, donors and friends attended the event, which took place in the High Bay Structures Lab in the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence. (A shining new landmark on York’s Keele campus, the Bergeron Centre has already garnered significant international acclaim for its stunning architecture and state-of-the-art lab and learning spaces.)
From left: York alumnus Rudolph Bratty, who is a Campaign Honorary Patron; with York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri and Chancellor Greg Sorbara
“For almost 60 years, York has pushed boundaries and explored the unknown with groundbreaking research, leading-edge programs, a diverse student body and alumni making an impact all over the world,” Shoukri said. “This campaign is our promise that together we can drive advances in the classroom and in communities around the world, and accelerate the impact that we have each day.”
The president also took time to announce that with record fundraising results achieved in the past few years, the campaign has more than $270 million already committed and is over halfway to its goal.
School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design alumna Sarah Davidson-Gurney entertains guests
In addition to its fundraising component, the Impact Campaign is focused on doubling the number of alumni engaged in the lives of York’s students and the communities the University serves, so it was fitting that students and alumni were front and centre at the launch. The entertainment featured high-energy performances by students from the School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design, an intriguing demonstration of digital mapping, a number of interactive, Faculty-based exhibits, and outstanding performances by aerial artists and violinist Sarah Davidson-Gurney (who is a York alumna).
As a symbol for the impact of the University throughout the campaign and beyond, a massive Newton’s cradle was suspended over the reception space and each guest received their own miniature keepsake version.
In his remarks to guests at the reception, Sorbara, who is a two-time alumnus of the University, acknowledged the important role that the nearly 300,000 York alumni will play in the success of the campaign.
Aerial artists performed a gravity-defying ballet high above guests
“The alumni community collectively has an immeasurable impact on our society, whether locally, nationally or globally, across countless academic and professional fields,” said Sorbara. “We believe that telling the story of this impact is an important way to further the mission of the University – and I am here today to let you know that our campaign is squarely focused on not only celebrating alumni impact, but also amplifying it.”
Among the evening’s guests were members of the University’s Chancellor’s Circle who are outstanding donors who have each contributed more than $1 million to York, and members of the Impact Campaign’s leadership from Honorary Patrons and the Campaign Cabinet.
President Shoukri greets Joan and Martin Goldfarb. The Goldfarbs are longstanding supporters of York University and the Goldfarb Centre and the Goldfarb Summer Institute are named in their honour
“All of these exceptional campaign volunteers have stepped forward in their roles to meet this exciting challenge and are ready and willing to help us reach our full potential,” said Waugh to the guests. “Now we turn to the rest of our alumni and friends to join us on this journey – because York University’s impact has only just begun.”
Sorbara fittingly closed out the remarks by sharing the University’s excitement about this monumental next step.“I’d like to thank you all for joining us tonight and for answering our call to serve as ambassadors of York as we prepare to join with alumni, friends and community to show what we can do through the upcoming campaign,” said Sorbara. “This is your opportunity to make an impact – and impact starts with you.”
For more information, to learn more about getting involved in the campaign, and to read inspiring stories from York University’s students, faculty, alumni and staff, visit the Impact Campaign website.
Introducing new President’s Blog and Kudos Report online submission form
Share
The Office of the President is launching two new engagement initiatives – a new blog for York University President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri, and an online submission form where all community members can provide input to the University-wide Kudos Report.
Shoukri will post regular updates on his blog about the York community, including campus events, activities and initiatives, as well as provide personal insights into his experiences as president.
The blog will also be the new home of the Kudos Report that is produced monthly during the school year by the Office of the President. This report is shared with members of the University Senate and Board of Governors for their meetings, as well as on social media, as a platform to celebrate and promote the many accomplishments, successes and contributions of the University community.
In conjunction with the launch of Shoukri’s new blog, the Office of the President is launching a new Kudos Report online submission form. All York community members are invited to submit details about the achievements of individuals or groups among York staff, faculty, students and alumni using this new e-form.
“I am glad to be launching this blog, as I see it as another way to connect with the York community and to share the many positive things happening on campus,” said Shoukri. “We know that our community is creating, helping and innovating at a remarkable rate and in truly inspiring – and surprising – ways. And so, I am also looking forward to hearing from our community through the new Kudos Report online submission form. I encourage everyone to share their stories of excellence so we can better recognize individual and collective successes as well as the incredibly positive impact our University community is having here and around the world.”
If you know a York community member or group whose recent achievements or contributions inspire you or deserve recognition, you can share their story via the Kudos Report Submission Form on the Office of the President website: http://president.yorku.ca/kudos-submission-form/.
York U celebrates the official opening of the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence
Share
The traditional image of an engineering school filled with bespectacled students toting calculators in pocket protectors was officially vanquished on Friday, April 8 with the opening of the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence at York University.
Above: Guests of honour join students, faculty, staff and senior administrators for a ribbon-cutting ceremony
The building, which is a light-filled space dedicated to innovation and discovery, officially threw open its doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the beginning of a new kind of learning.
And with the opening, engineering will never be the same.
Above: From left, Ignat Kaneff, Douglas Bergeron, Chancellor Gregory Sorbara and Pierre Lassonde
Several hundred guests from government, higher education, engineering and architecture gathered with senior officials from York University for the opening, and to honour alumnus Douglas Bergeron, Pierre Lassonde and Ignat Kaneff, the principal donors whose generosity and vision made both the building and engineering school a reality.
Above: Janusz Kozinski, founding dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering
“If you could change the world, where would you start?” asked the Lassonde School of Engineering’s founding Dean Janus Kozinski, the event’s emcee. “Likely most of us would create a place and the culture where young people can succeed. Today is a very special day for us and for the entire university. It is about big ideas, big minds, big hearts, big ambition and big future. Today, we are formally opening the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence, the home of the Renaissance engineer. It is a terrific opportunity for us to celebrate those who contributed to this project and those who are benefitting from this project.”
Known for its stunning architectural design, the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence is the physical home of the Lassonde School of Engineering, which is dedicated to educating and inspiring the next generation of engineers by fostering creativity and hands-on learning.
Above: The Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence at York University
The award-winning building was designed by Toronto’s ZAS Architects + Interiors, built by UK-based construction firm Laing O’Rourke in partnership with the Gillam Group and named in recognition of York alumnus Douglas Bergeron and his wife Sandra for their $10 million donation. The provincial government invested $50 million in the construction of this advanced learning and research centre. An additional $5-million donation was given to the building by philanthropist Ignat Kaneff.
Above: The Sandbox
A striking facility, which overlooks the Stong Pond on York University’s Keele campus, the 169,500-sq-ft centre with five floors and a green rooftop, boasts a facade of 8,000 triangular metal panels and windows in a mathematically derived Penrose pattern that never repeats. The design drew its inspiration from Georgian Bay and the iconic Canadian image of a cloud floating over a rock.
The building is primarily home to the University’s three newest engineering programs – civil, mechanical and electrical.
Above: York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri
“The Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence is a truly forward-looking, uniquely designed facility that will offer our engineering students unsurpassed experiential learning opportunities,” said York University President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri, in his opening remarks. “The centre is an exciting addition to campus life at York – one that will give our students a distinct advantage through access to flexible, collaborative learning spaces and research labs. This is how students prefer to learn today, and we’re proud to be able to provide facilities that support and reflect 21st century education.”
Shoukri told the story about how the provincial government, in partnership with the University and with the support provided by the principal donors, made the building and school a reality. Shoukri, who is an engineer by training and a professor in the Lassonde School of Engineering, spoke about his own passion for the engineering school and the joy of a dream fulfilled.
Above: From left, the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities MPP Reza Moridi, Ignat Kaneff and Douglas Bergeron
Next to the podium was Ontario’s Minister of Training, Colleges & Universities, Reza Moridi. Educated as an engineer, Moridi spoke with pride about the role the new centre and program will play in the province’s economy.
“Our government is proud to support York’s Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence, a facility that is providing the next generation of engineers with the expertise they need to thrive in Ontario’s knowledge-based economy,” said Moridi to those gathered for the opening.
“I’m pleased that within this cutting-edge new learning space, York is advancing an innovative curriculum that is giving students access not only to training across a variety of engineering disciplines, but also to a number of critical skills employers are looking for like entrepreneurship, collaboration and creativity,” said Moridi. “I look forward to seeing the contributions future graduates will make to our society and to our economy as they turn these skills into high value jobs.”
Designed with students in mind, there are no lecture halls. Instead, there are several active learning areas which offer students, who hail from Peel Region, North York, York Region, Toronto, and far beyond, the latest in learning technology and a place to tackle real world issues.
The first-floor “High Bay Lab” was primarily created for civil engineering research to test the strength of materials such as concrete to see, for example, if it can withstand an earthquake. The second-floor “Sandbox” is a student space designed to allow the free-flow of ideas, many of which can then be turned into a prototype using one of the onsite 3D printers. The idea is to get students from various programs and disciplines interacting to develop innovative solutions and create new concepts.
Above; Pierre Lassonde chats with students from the Lassonde School of Engineering. The Bergeron Centre home to the engineering school.
The centre is also home to the Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science & Technology (BEST) program created by the Bergerons. BEST integrates curricular and experiential activities to develop business skills and help students understand what it takes to launch a technology start-up enterprise.
“Tomorrow’s entrepreneurial engineers need to be open-minded collaborators working with talented people from a variety of fields,” said Bergeron. “The Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence gives students the freedom to think creatively, to imagine solutions that defy conventional wisdom and to take their ideas from sketches on a whiteboard into real world technology ventures.”
The building is expected to receive LEED Gold accreditation in recognition of its environmental performance and sustainable design.
Above: Douglas Bergeron (far right) chats with students about their project
In his comments, philanthropist and entrepreneur Pierre Lassonde, whose donation of $25 million established the engineering school bearing his name. “The most precious natural resource our country has is the human ingenuity of its people,” said Lassonde. “Today we are celebrating human ingenuity.”
Above: Guests listen while faculty and students demonstrate equipment housed in one of the labs at the centre.
Lassonde spoke with passion about the need to bring more young women into engineering and the school’s progress toward its goal of having 50 per cent of its student population represented by young women. “We are making progress to becoming the first engineering school in North America to do this,” he said.
In closing, York University Chancellor Greg Sorbara took time to pay special tribute to the hundreds of men and women who did the physical work to build the Bergeron Centre. “We made history today,” he said.
